FOLK get in a flap about flags. Or at least folk in mainland Britain and Northern Ireland do. Scandinavians, Canadians and other civilised people probably fly their national flags more than most. It’s not a problem for them. It’s just a display of mild-mannered pride. But here, in gross Britannia, things are more complicated. In England, flying the St George’s Cross is seen by the woke as akin to Nazism. In Northern Ireland, flag waving is caught up in tribal sectarian rivalry. And in Scotland? Oh, Scotland, weirdest little country in the world. Some faint at the sight of a Saltire and others get annoyed by the Union flag. We shall return to the latter anon.
THE home of the Saltire is getting ready to re-open its doors to visitors. Volunteers at The Scottish Flag Trust have been busy sprucing up the centre in Athelstaneford, which tells the story of Scotland’s national flag. Dave Williamson, Scottish Flag Trust convener, was counting down to Saturday when the doors will reopen. He said: “This is an exciting and important year for the trust. “We are in the middle of a massive fundraising appeal to pay for the reharling of the 16th-century doo’cot that houses the audio-visual display, as well as improving access and signage around the site. We’ve been getting the place ready and Covid secure, and can’t wait to welcome our first visitors.”